Cristopher Cowan
Baltimore,MD
Summary
I am a creative and dependable forward thinker who is dedicated to public service and excellent customer experiences. I am skilled in communications practices and theory, with team leadership, organizational growth, and public engagement as professional priorities. I completed the LATI Institute Early Start training in 2022 and am familiar with reference best practices. I'm a library professional with a focus on managing circulation operations and improving user experiences by consistently enhancing service delivery through strong organizational skills and effective communication. I am known for collaborative team efforts and adaptability to changing needs, while ensuring reliability and smooth operations.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Circulation Supervisor
Enoch Pratt Free Library
Baltimore, MD
01.2018 - Current
- Manage, supervise and provide circulation services functions, implement policy and provide support for staff and patrons of the library.
- Serve as supervisor in charge in absence of the branch manager, addressing concerns and ensuring that branch safety and maintenance issues are reported promptly.
- Assists patrons with checkout, returns, and account management holds, while maintaining excellent customer service and ensuring confidentiality and accuracy in patron records.
- Process materials to be added into and/or taken out of the collection and manage periodical collection.
- Maintain, compile, and enter statistics into spreadsheets and reports for circulation functions.
- Compile weekly cash reports and deliver to the business office while managing the cash register and money handling.
- Maintain inventory and order office supplies.
- Prepare circulation staff schedules to provide adequate coverage on the service desk.
- Assist patrons with identifying and locating materials, placing holds or Inter-Library Loan requests as needed.
- Assist patrons with computers, copiers, and other assorted library technology.
MILO Supervisor
Trans Shipping-Enoch Pratt Free Library
Baltimore, MD
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Manage all functions of trans-shipping for the Maryland Inter-library Loan Program including supervision of staff and coordination of deliveries and shipments across the state and beyond.
- Maintain and use postage meter and mailing equipment for items sent via U.S. mail; was responsible for initiating tracking protocol for these items.
- Maintain inventory and order office supplies for the MILO department.
- Coordinate with other library departments and systems to ensure accuracy and timeliness of MILO and Marina.
- Implement policy and innovation as dictated by the management and leadership teams.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Communication Studies
UMGC
College Park, MD2021
No Degree - Film/Video
UMBC
Catonsville, MD1994
No Degree - Communications
Baltimore City Community College
Baltimore, MD1993
No Degree - Communications
Community College of Baltimore County
Essex, MD1992
No Degree - Communications
College of Southern Maryland
La Plata, MD1991
Skills
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills with an eye for innovation
- Flexible, energetic, team player with the ability to exercise initiative, independent thinking, and good judgment
- In depth knowledge of customer service best practices, procedures and standards
- Ability to assess, organize, and resolve training needs and implement and enforce organizational policy
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff and public through patience, mindfulness, and respect
- Library operations
- Interdepartmental coordination
- Problem-solving
Affiliations
Maryland Library Association (MLA)
AFSCME Local 6359
Timeline
Circulation Supervisor
Enoch Pratt Free Library
01.2018 - Current
MILO Supervisor
Trans Shipping-Enoch Pratt Free Library
01.2015 - 01.2018
Bachelor of Science - Communication Studies
UMGC
No Degree - Film/Video
UMBC
No Degree - Communications
Baltimore City Community College
No Degree - Communications
Community College of Baltimore County
No Degree - Communications
College of Southern Maryland